Journal box lid structure



Bar, 116, 19 31. T. R. WEBER JOURNAL BOX LID STRUCTURE 2 Sheets-Sheet '1 Filed March 21, 1941 INVENTOR mead/ore R WeAe 7 r'! ORNEY Dec. 16, 1941. T. R. WEBER JOURNAL BOX LID STRUCTURE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 21, 1941 INVENTOR 7Zeo0/ore fiWeZer 0W TT RNEY Patented Dec. 16, 1941 UNITED STATES 'AENT OFFICE JOURNAL BOX LID STRUCTURE Application March 21, 1941, Serial No. 384,464

7 Claims.

This invention relates to journal 'box lid structures.

An object of the present invention is to provide a journal box lid structure having flexible characteristics adapting the lid to bear evenly against the journal box, the spring means to bear evenly against the box lug and the hood to bear evenly against the hinge pintle.

A further object is to provide, in the afore mentioned lid structure, novel means for centralizing the lid-closing pressure on the central portion of the lid.

A further object is to provide means for facilitating assemblage and disassemblage of the lid structure with the journal box.

Other and further objects of this invention will appear from the following description, the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings forming a part of the present application, Figure 1 is a front elevation of a journal box lid structure involving the present invention, a journal box being indicated in dot and dash lines; Fig. 2 is a section on the line IIII of Fig. 1, parts being shown in full; Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the lid, the connecting post assembled therewith being shown in section; Fig. 4 is a partial sectional view, similar to the corresponding portion of Fig. 2, showing a modification of the invention; Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmental plan view of a portion of the lid structure of Fig. 2, showing the application of an assembling and disassembling tool; Fig. 6 is an end View of the structure of Fig. 5; Fig. 7 is, at the left, a front elevation, and, at the right, a section on the line VIIVII of Fig, 8, showing another modification of the invention, the journal box being indicated in dot and dash lines; Fig. 8 is a section on the line VIIIVIII of Fig. '7, parts being shown in full, an assembling and disassembling Wedge being shown in dot and dash lines; Fig. 9 is a view, similar to Fig. 3, of the lid of Fig. 7;. and Fig. 10 is a partial sectional View, similar to Fig. 4, showing another modification of the invention.

Referring to Figs. 1-3, the journal box lid structure there shown, indicated generally by the reference numeral I, comprises a lid 2, a hood 3, spring means i disposed between the hood and lid, a post 5 connecting the hood and lid, and a hinge pintle 6 for securing the structure to a cam lug l of a journal box 8.

The lid closes the open face of the journal box in the usual manner. At its central portion is a depression 9 and a retainer Ill, having an orifice II, the retainer being secured to the side walls of the depression, as by welding, thereby forming a chamber I2 between the retainer and wall of the depression. The retainer extends outwardly at its central portion, forming an inwardly directed concave seat 13 on its inner face and an outwardly directed convex portion l4 on its outer face, for a purpose presently to appear. When the lid is made of pressed steel, the depression and concave seat may be pressed out in a wellknown manner. If desired, the concave seat can be formed directly in the lid itself, thus eliminating the separate retainer lil welded to the lid and the depression 9 formed in the lid. Such a construction is shown in Fig, 4, wherein the central portion of the lid 2' extends outwardly providing the concave seat l3 and convex portion [4, there being no depressed part of the lid extending to the rear of the post. Otherwise the structures of Figs. 2 and 4 are similar and only the structure of Fig. 2 will be hereinafter described.

The hood is pivotally mounted on the pintle by orificed ears l5 and the top wall l6 of the hood covers the lug 1, in the usual manner. A semi-circular outwardly extending flange I! is formed adjacent the rear margin of the orifice of each ear l5 to provide additional bearing surface against the pintle 6. The flange is widest at its rearmost point and narrows as it approaches its forward ends, at which ends it merges with the sidewall of the hood. The pintle 6 is specially constructed to coact with the flanges ll, preventing rotation of the pintle, as is more fully set forth in my copending application Serial No. 376,132, filed January 27, 1941, this feature forming no part of the present invention.

The hood further includes, at its central portion, a coil spring seat l8, which may be formed by pressing out the central portion when the hood is made of pressed steel, an orifice i9 near its lower end, and an orifice 20 in its top wall, all for purposes presently to appear.

The hood, as aforesaid, is connected to the lid by the post 5, which stands outwardly from the lid substantially perpendicular thereto, the outer end of the post being reduced, extending through the orifice l3, and being headed to connect it rigidly to the hood. The lid is connected to the box only through this connection with the hood. A head 2|, having an outwardly directed convex face 22, is formed on the inner end of the post, the head being disposed in the chamber I2 with the face 22 in engagement with the seat I3, providing a universal joint connection between the post and lid, permitting relative tilting movement between the hood and lid. The post extends through the orifice H with sufficient clearance, and the head 2| has sufiicient clearance in the chamber 12 to permit such tilting. The universal joint thereby formed is close to the plane of the lid and box face. Thus tilting of the lid will not result in any appreciable lateral or 1ongitudinal shift of the lid.

The spring means 4 includes a plate 23, hearing at its upper end against the lug l, and coil springs 24, the coil springs, which are disposed one within the other, engaging at their inner; ends the plate and at their outer ends the seat l8, providing a flexible connection between the plate and hood, permitting relative-tilting movement therebetween. A boss is formed on the plate opposite the seat springs. The coil springs, by means of "the boss, and the post prevent the plate from moving lat:- erally off the box lug.

A portion of the lower end of the plate-23pxtends outwardly providing an inwardly directed concave seat 26 engaging the portion- I-4- andproviding a universal joint connect-ion between the plate and lid, permitting relative tilting movement therebetween. An orifice 21 is formedin the seat 26* through which the post freely passes, the orifice beinglarger than the diameter Obviously in assembling the parts.

of the post. ofthe lidstructure, the post head must be disposed in'the chamber before theretainer I3 is welded to the lid and the plate and hood must then be associated with the post and the outer end of the post finally headed. The post permanently secures the lid, plate and hood together, preventing their accidental disassemblage'.

The universal joints and flexible connection,

permitting relative tilting movements of the.

hood, plate and lid, enablethe lid to bear evenly against the box, the plate against the lug and the hood ears against the pintle, even though one or more of these parts is imperfectly formed. For'instance, the plate may seat evenly on the face of the box lug even though this faceis out of parallel with the lug orifice.

- The coil springs exert an outwardly directed.

force on the hood and an' inwardly direct'ed'fbrce on the plate, the plate transmitting the force to the lid at its central portion and'holdi'ng the lid. firmly on the box. The plate is, disposed'close toand approximately parallel to. the lid which. prevents wearing movements of the upper end.

of the plate againstthe box lug'during vibration, movements of the lid structure whenin service.

The upper end of 'the plate includes an extension- 28' which extends above the, topface of the lug into a space 29'provided'betweenthe topface of the lug and the opposite under face. of. the top wall [6 of the hood. A rivet 3% is secured to the top wall of the hood, being disposed in the orifice 23, and has a cylindrical. head' 3! depending into the space, 29 for coaction. with.

tool further includes a curved hook portion 31 extending from the end of the finger 35, the

H3, the seat and. bosspreventing displacement movement of. the coil.

It includes an open,-

Lil

plane of the link-like portion being at right angles to the plane of the hook portion.

The tool is, in the case of a new lid structure, applied by the manufacturer so that the lid structure may later be assembled with a journal box without the use of any other tool. To apply the tool, the manufacturer must clamp the plate toward the hood, thereby compressing the coil springs, and then wind. the. hook portion around the cylindrical rivet head, the finger 34 acting as a handle to facilitate the rotation of the tool. The clamp is then removed and the spring plate allowed to press against the tool, holding it firmly against the-cylindrical head. The open link-like portionprevents the tool from dropping below the rivet. The tool holds the plate toward the hood. sufficiently so that the hood ear orifices can be aligned with the lug orifice, and the pintle inserted: without interference from the spring means.

To remove the tool after assemblage of the lid structure with the journal box, it is merely necessary to open the lid sufiiciently for the plate to be moved toward the hood by the box lugthus relieving pressure on the tool, and then rotatingthe' tool in a disengaging direction. If it should be desired at any time thereafter to remove the lid structure from the box, the lid-structure'maybe partially opened as above described and the tool applied once more; as therivet remains with the hood after removal of the tool.

Referring to Figs, 7-9, the lid structure there shown has the same advantages as the aforedescribed lid structure, but differstherefrom in a few structural details. Referring; to Fig; 8, it will be seen that an outwardly directedconcave seat 38" is formed in. the bottom ofthe' lid depression 39. The post 413'; at its inner end, has a head 4|" providing an inwardly directed" convex face 42" which is disposed in engagement with the seat 38, providing a universal joint between the post and lid 43; The coil springs 4'4 are disposed'between the lower end of the plate 45, against which they bear, and the lid, the. post.

passing through the center of the coil springs, which bear at their inner ends against a' washer 46 carriedv by the post, thereby providing a flex-- ible connection between the'plate and lid. The coil springs exert an inwardly directed force against the post head; by means of the washer 46,, and' the, post headf transmits, the. force. to the lid, holding it securely on the box. The post head, and Washer 46; are both. disposed in the chamber 41 providedby the depression. 39 and the retainer, 48 securedv thereto,. and" they orifice.

in the retainer is suificiently large to, permit, the coil springs to extend therethrough.

The plate. andhood49 engage attheir. central. portions, the hood. having a ball portion 50. and.

the platehaving asocket portion 5|, providinga universal jointbetween the plate andhood. Thusv this modification of the invention employs. a universal joint between the hood and, platev and betweenthe hoodand lid, and aflexibleconnection between the plate and lid; whereas in. the. structure of Figs. 1i-4 afiexible; connection. was. pro.-

vided. between the. hood andpl'ate and universal joints were provided between. the hood. and lid and between the plate and lid;

A wedge 52 is employedlto. facilitate. assemblage and disassemblage offtl'ie lidlstructurewith the journalibox. The wedge. is. inserted through. a slot 53 formed in. the. bottom wall' of the hood andfforced between the lower end of the plate" and the opposite portion of the hood; The plate acts as a lever, fulcruming about the ball portion 50, the top of the plate moving toward the hood as the wedge forces the bottom of the plate away from it. Thus the wedge holds the top of plate 45 in the same position as the tool 32 holds the plate 23.

In the case of new lid structures, the manufacturer can assemble the wedge with the lid structure, and the lid structure can then be shipped to the place where it will be used, ready for assemblage with a journal box. Pressure can be taken off the wedge, when it is desired to remove the wedge after assemblage of the lid structure with the box, by partially opening the lid structure, as was done in the case of the lid structure of Figs. 1-3.

The structure of Figs. 7-9 has the further advantage that the post also secures the coil springs permanently with the other parts of the lid structure, and the coil spring may be partially compressed even when the lid structure is not assembled with the box, as outward movement of the lower end of the plate is limited by the space between it and the hood, and the compressed springs will be held between the plate lower end and the washer.

Fig. shows another modification of the invention. Here the type of lid and post of the lid structure of Figs. 1-3 and the hood and spring means of the lid structure of Figs. 7-9 are employed. Of course the lid shown in Fig. 4 may be employed, if desired, in place of the lid shown in Fig. 10. The lid structure of Fig. 10 has all the advantages of the aforedescribed lid structures and is similar to the lid structure of Figs. 7-9 in that the universal joints are provided between the hood and plate and between the hood and lid, the flexible connection being between the plate and lid. However, it will be noted that the coil spring seats against the retainer, instead of against the bolt head (Fig. 8), thus directly holding the lid against the box. Only one coil spring is shown, although two may be employed if desired. A reinforcing flange 54 is employed about the orifice in the hood through which the post passes. This flange may be employed in the other structures if desired. It is contemplated that cast hoods may be employed in place of the pressed steel hoods, and in such a case the flange 54 would probably be employed.

While there have been hereinbefore described approved embodiments of this invention, it will be understood that many and various changes and modification in form, arrangement of parts and details of construction may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention and that all such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claims are contemplated as a part of this invention.

The invention claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

l. The combination of a journal box having an opening and a hinge lug; a lid member covering said opening; a hood connected to said hinge lug for swinging movement toward and away from said box; a connecting member, disposed substantially perpendicular with respect to the plane of said lid member, secured at its inner end to said lid member and at its outer end to said hood; and spring means operatively disposed between said hood and lid member, engaging at one end said lug, at an intermediate point said hood, and at the other end one of said members, thereby pressing said lid member upon said box, said connecting member passing freely through said spring means for securing said lid member, hood and spring means together.

'2. A closure for an open-faced journal box having a cam lug on the top thereof, said closure comprising a pintle adapted to be mounted in said'lug for hingedly assembling said closure with said box; a hood member having on its upper end portion, eyes mounting said hood member on said pintle at the end portions thereof; a lid member for covering said box opening; a plate disposed between said members having an upper end portion for spring-pressed engagement with said cam lug; a spring operatively mounted between said plate and one of said members; a post outwardly standing from said lid member, connecting said lid member to said hood member, said post being connected at its inner end to said lid member adjacent the central portion thereof, and at its outer end to said hood member at the lower end portion thereof; and a flexible joint providing one of said post connections, said plate being flexibly connected between its ends to said hood member and flexibly connected at its lower end to said lid member, said spring forming one of said plate flexible connections and a universal joint forming the other of said plate flexible connections, said plate being loosely mounted at its lower end portion on said post in spaced relation to said hood member, and said spring being energized, exerting an outwardly directed force upon said hood member and an inwardly directed force upon said lid member, when said closure is assembled with said box, one of said forces being app-lied through said plate, whereby said plate will be held springpressed against said cam lug and said lid member when closed will be held spring-pressed against said box, said flexible connections insuring even bearing of said eyes against said pintle, said plate upon said cam lug and said lid member upon said box.

3. A closure for an open-faced journal 'box having a cam lug on the top thereof, said closure comprising a pintle adapted to be mounted in said lug for hingedly assembling said closure with said box; a hood having on its upper end portion, eyes mounting said hood on said pintle at the end portions thereof; a lid for covering said box opening; a plate disposed between said hood and lid, having an upper end portion for springpressed engagement with said cam lug; an energized spring operatively mounted between said plate and lid; a post outwardly standing from said lid, connecting said lid to said hood, said post being connected at its inner end to said lid adjacent the central portion thereof, and at its outer end to said hood at the lower end portion thereof; and a universal joint providing one of said post connections, said plate being connected between its ends by another universal joint to said hood and flexibly connected at its lower end by said spring to said lid, said plate being loosely mounted at its lower end portion on said post in spaced relation to said hood, and said spring exerting an outwardly directed force upon said hood and an inwardly directed force upon said lid when said closure is assembled with said box, said force upon said hood being applied through said plate, whereby said plate will be held springpressed against said cam lug and said lid when closed will be held spring-pressed against said box, said universal joints and flexible connection insuring even bearing of said eyes against said pintle, said plate upon said cam lug and said lid upon said box.

4. A closure for an open-faced journal box having a cam lug on the top thereof, said closure comprising a pintle adapted to be mounted in said lug for hingedly assembling said closure with said box; a hood having on its upper end portion, eyes mounting said hood on said pintle at the end portions thereof; a lid for covering said box opening; a plate disposed between said hood and lid having an upper end portion for spring-pressed engagement with said cam lug; an energized spring operatively mounted between said plate and lid; and a post outwardly standing from said lid, connecting said lid to said hood, said post being connected at its inner end by a universal joint to said lid adjacent the central portion thereof, and at its outer end to said hood at the lower end portion thereof, said late being connected between its ends by another universal joint to said hood and flexibly connected at its lower end by said spring to said lid, said plate being loosely mounted at its lower end portion on said post in spaced relation to said hood, and said spring exerting an outwardly directed force upon said hood and an inwardly directed force upon said lid when said closure is assembled with said box, said force upon said hood bein applied through said plate, whereby said plate will be held spring-pressed against said cam lug and said lid when closed will be held spring-pressed against said box, said universal joints and flexible connection insuring even bearing of said eyes against said pintle, said plate upon said cam lug and said lid upon said box.

5. A closure for an open-faced journal box having a cam lug on the top thereof, said closure comprising a pintle adapted to be mounted in said lug for hingedly assembling said closure with said box; a hood having on its upper end portion, eyes mounting said hood on said pintle at the end portions thereof; a lid for covering said box opening having an outwardly directed concave seat; a plate disposed between said hood and lid having an upper end portion for springpressed engagement with said cam lug; an energized spring operatively mounted between said plate and lid; and a post outwardly standing from said lid, connecting said lid to said hood, said post being connected at its outer end to said hood at the lower end portion thereof, and at its inner end having an inwardly directed convex head, disposed in said seat, said head and seat providing a universal joint connecting said post inner end to said lid, said plate being connected between its ends by another universal joint to said hood and flexibly connected at its lower end by said spring to said lid, said plate being loosely mounted at its lower end portion on said post in spaced relation to said hood, and said spring exerting an outwardly directed force upon said hood and an inwardly directed force upon said lid when said closure is assembled with said box, said force upon said hood being applied through said plate, whereby said plate will be held spring-pressed against said cam lug and said lid when closed will be held springpressed against said box, said universal joints and flexible connection insuring even bearing of said eyes against said pintle, said plate upon said cam lug and said lid upon said box.

6. A closure for an open-faced journal box having a cam lug on the top thereof, said closure Comprising a pintle adapted to be mounted in said lug for hingedly assembling said closure with said box; a hood having on its upper end portion, eyes mounting said hood on said pintle at the end portions thereof; a lid for covering said box opening having an inwardly directed concave seat; a plate disposed between said hood and lid having an upper end portion for springpressed engagement with said cam lug; an energized spring operatively mounted between said plate and lid; and a post outwardly standing from said lid, connecting said lid to said hood, said post being connected at its outer end to said hood at the lower end portion thereof, and at its inner end having an outwardly directed convex head, disposed in said seat, said head and seat providing a universal joint connecting said post inner end to said lid, said plate being connected between its ends by another universal joint to said hood and flexibly connected at its lower end by said spring to said lid, said plate being loosely mounted at its lower end portion on said post in spaced relation to said hood, and said spring exerting an outwardly directed force upon said hood and an inwardly directed force upon said lid when said closure is assembled with said box, said force upon said hood being applied through said plate, whereby said plate will be held spring-pressed against said cam lug and said lid when closed will be held spring-pressed against said box, said universal joints and flexible connection insuring even bearing of said eyes against said pintle, said plate upon said cam lug and said lid upon said box.

7. A closure for an open-faced journal box having a cam lug on the top thereof, said closure comprising a pintle adapted to be mounted in said lug for hingedly assembling said closure with said box; a hood having on its upper end portion, eyes mounting said hood on said pintle at the end portions thereof; a lid for covering said box opening having an inwardly directed concave seat and an outwardly directed convex portion; a plate disposed between said hood and lid having an upper end portion for springpressed engagement with said cam lug, and, at its lower end, an inwardly directed concave seat; a spring operatively mounted between said plate and hood; and a post outwardly standing from said lid, connecting said lid to said hood, said post being connected at its outer end to said hood at the lower end portion thereof, and at its inner end having an outwardly directed convex head disposed in said lid seat, said head and lid seat providing a universal joint connecting said post inner end to said lid, said plate being flexibly connected between its ends by said spring to said hood, said plate being loosely mounted at its lower end portion on said post in spaced relation to said hood with its concave seat mounted on said lid convex portion, providing a universal joint connection between said plate and lid, and said spring being energized, exerting an outwardly directed force upon said hood and an inwardly directed force upon said plate when said closure is assembled with said box, whereby said plate will be held spring-pressed against said cam lug and lid, and said lid when closed will be held spring-pressed against said box, said universal joints and flexible connection insuring even bearing of said eyes against said pintle, said plate upon said cam lug and said lid upon said box.

THEODORE R. WEBER. 

